#also probably hearing sukuna complement him before dying is what also caused the smile too

[saeraas]

I read the chapter, and I do feel mixed about the explanation sukuna gave and what it means to the protagonists and certain other things... but, one thing I do like is that from the moment before his death is that he finally was able to be himself, not the strongest. Him being killed by someone stronger removed that concept that applied to him, caused his loneliness and own identity crisis (Geto's question), and the line people had drawn between him and themselves is why he also used Jujutsu as a way to satisfy himself in that Strongest role. At that point, he spoke in that scene from a place of humility, one thing he hasn't felt in years, if ever.

Nanami mentioned where to go if you want to return to the way you are, you go south and if you wish to make yourself anew, go north. He might go south to return to his blue spring, but it's also likely he could go north at this in the crossroads of the afterlife because this is new to him - that he is not the strongest, but he just a human named Satoru Gojo and he died, surrounded by people he loved and with no regrets.